OSSLT Applying Punctuation Rules 5

Question 1

Which sentence correctly uses punctuation with an interrupting phrase?

Accepted Answer

The report, however, was incomplete.

Answer

Transitional adverbs like 'however' that interrupt a sentence must be set off by commas on both sides.

Question 2

Which sentence correctly uses quotation marks for a quote within a quote?

Accepted Answer

She said, "He called me 'brave.'"

Answer

When a quotation appears inside another quotation, single quotation marks are used for the inner quote.

Question 3

Which sentence correctly places the comma in a date?

Accepted Answer

On August 17, 2026, the event began.

Answer

In a full date, commas follow both the day and the year when written in month-day-year format mid-sentence.

Question 4

Which sentence correctly omits an unnecessary comma?

Accepted Answer

She and her brother went shopping.

Answer

No comma is needed between a compound subject joined by 'and' when there are only two subjects.

Question 5

Which sentence correctly uses a comma with a conditional clause?

Accepted Answer

If it rains, we will cancel the picnic.

Answer

A comma follows an introductory conditional clause ('If...') before the main clause.

OSSLT - Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test Practice Test